Model airplane launching apparatus



rch 7, 1950 H. L. MIKOLAJCZYK 2,499,666

MODEL AIRPLANE LAUNCHING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1949 Attorney Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to model airplane launching apparatus and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally the invention relates to a device designed for use with the so-called U-control for model airplanes. This U-control which is well known in the art comprises a handle adapted to be grasped in the hand of the person flying a model, self-powered airplane and cables interconnect the upper and lower ends of the handles with a device in the model airplane which, in turn, raises and lowers the elevators of the model airplane thereby to control the flight thereof. The present invention eliminates the necessity for a second persons attendance to the launching of such model airplane which, when in flight, will describe a circular pathway about the person controlling such flight. With the present device, when sufiicient engine speed has been attained in the model airplane, the person controlling the flight of the model may launch the same without outside assistance by merely raising the elevators through the use of the U-control thereby freeing the model airplane for takeoff and flight.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction and operation, inexpensive to manufacture and yet effective and efiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth having a minimum number of parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a device of the character set forth, of

novel means for maintaining a latching member in latching contact with the stabilizers of a model airplane.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means for adjusting the aforesaid latching means.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the device in unlatched position, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating certain details of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein a model airplane having a fuselage I 0, a rudder ll, stabilizers l2 and elevators l3. It is assumed for the purposes of the present invention and description thereof that the model plane illustrated is equipped with the above described U-control wherein the elevators l3 may be moved upwardly and downwardly from a remote point by a person having a handle whose upper and lower ends are connected by cables to a device within the model plane which, in turn, controls the movement of the elevators The device comprising the present invention includes a substantially rectangular platform M which may be securely fastened to the ground by means of pegs [5 extending through the same at each corner thereof.

Adjacent the rear end of the platform Hi there is connected by means of a hinge IS a latching device having a pair of forwardly extending arms I! to the upper forward ends of each of which is aflfixed a rearwardly and upwardly extending pressure fin Ill. The fins l8 may be bent to any desired angle and are each provided with a forwardly extending projection I9 in which a latching screw 29 is vertically and threadably mounted. The lower end of each of the screws 20 are provided with buffers 2| which may be in the form of rubber tubing frictionally mounted thereon.

Approximately midway in each of the arms I! is a plurality of spaced vertical openings 22 and an adjusting screw 23 is selectively mounted in one of such openings in each of the arms I! and preferably provided with a smooth bottom.

In operation, it will be apparent that the model airplane, prior to launching, may be so positioned with relation to the present invention that the buffers 2| of the latching screws 20 abut against the forward ends of the stabilizers I2 when the engine of the model airplane is started, the slipstream will impinge against the fins is thereby causing a downward pressure of the arms I! upon the upper surfaces of the stabilizers l2 and elevators l3. When the operator considers the plane ready to launch, he may, through manipulating his "U-control cause the elevators l3 to rise thereby lifting the arm I! and releasing the buffers 2! from contact with the forward edges of the stabilizers l2 thus allowing the model airplane to take off. It will be apparent that greater or lesser downward pressure may be had by bending the fins to desired position. It will also be apparent that by moving the screws upwardly or downwardly the amount of lift necessary on the elevators to release the model airplane may be adjusted.

Again, it will also be apparent that the screws 23 may be selectively placed in the holes 22 so that the bottom edges of such screws will impinge upon the rearward edges of the elevators l3 and that by adjusting the depth of the screws 23 in the holes 22 that the effective lift of the elevators necessary to release the airplane may be adjusted.

It will also be apparent that while the device comprising the present invention has been described with regard to a U-control device, that any other remotely controlled means such as a radio control or the like may be utilized to launch a model airplane utilizing the present invention so long as some remotely controlled means is provided for raising and lowering theelevatqrs {3.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a platform, pegs for holding the platform upon the ground, a pair of parallel arms hinged adjacent the rear of the. platform upwardly and rearwardly extending fins afiixed to the upper sides of the arms adjacent the forward ends thereof and latching members vertically dependant from the forward ends of said arms.

2. A device of the character described comprising a platform, pegs for holding the platform upon the ground, a pair of parallel arms hinged adjacent the rear of the platform, upwardly and rearwardly extending fins aflixed to the upper sides of the arms adjacent the forward ends thereof, latching members vertically dependant from the forward ends of said arms and elevatorengaging members selectively positioned in the center portion of said arms.

A device of the character described comprising a platform, pegs for holding the platfor upon the ground, a pair of parallel arms hinged adjacent the rear of the platform, upwardly and rearwardlyextending fins affixed to the upper sides of the arms adjacent the forward ends thereof, forward extensions for said fins, a. vertically dependant detent threadably mounted in each of said extensions and a buffer of yieldable material aflixed to the lower end of each detent.

4. A device of the character described comprising a platform, pegs for holding the platform upon the ground, a pair of parallel arms hinged adjacent the rear of the platform, upwardly and rearwardly extending fins afiixed to the upper sides of the arms adjacent the forward ends thereof, forward extensions for said fins, a vertically dependant detent threadably mounted in each of said extensions, a buffer of yieldable material afiixed to the lower end of each detent and an elevator-engaging screw vertically and selectively positioned in the center portion of each of said arms.

5. A device of the character described comprising a platform, pegs for holding the platform upon the ground, a pair of parallel arms hinged adjacent the rear of the platform, upwardly and rearwardly extending fins aflixed to the upper sides of the arms adjacent the forward ends thereof, latching members vertically dependant from the forward ends of said arms and elevatorengaging members selectively positioned in the center portion of said arms, said fins being formed of flexible material whereby the same may be bent to selected angles.

6. A device of the character described come prising a platform, Pass for holding the platform upon the ground, a pair of parallel arms hinged adjacent the rear of the platform, upwardly and rearwardly extending fins afiixed to the upper sides of the arms adjacent the forward ends thereof, forward extensions for said fins, a vertically dependant detent threadably mounted in each of said extensions, a bufier of yieldable material aflixed to the lower end of each detent and an elevator-engaging screw vertically and selectively positioned in the center portion of each of said arms, said fins being formed of flexible material whereby the same may be bent to selected angles.

HARRY L. MIKOLAJCZYK.

No references cited. 

